Surfing in Australia

Australia’s coastline is where first class waves create a surfer’s paradise.

Australia's surf beaches, where first-class waves for all surfing abilities crash, are born from the Pacific Ocean in the east, the Indian Ocean in the west and the Southern Ocean in the south . Visit iconic Bells Beach, near Torquay, the gateway to Victoria's Surf Coast on the Great Ocean Road. In New South Wales, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Sydney and its south coast offer a superior swell. Hang out in Burleigh Heads or coast along one of the world's longest waves at Snapper Rocks on Queensland's Gold Coast. In South Australia, great surf beaches dot the Fleurieu, Yorke and Eyre peninsulas as well as the Limestone Coast. In Western Australia, Perth, Margaret River and Esperance are home to an abundance of surf beaches. Brave Tasmania's Southern Ocean swells in Hobart, Bruny Island, Launceston, Devonport and Marrawah. You'll find a wave to yourself on our uncrowded and pristine coastal beaches.

Bells Beach, Torquay, VIC

Victoria

From Melbourne, head south west to hit reliable breaks on the Bellarine Peninsula before Torquay, gateway to Victoria’s Surf Coast on the Great Ocean Road. Visit legendary Bells Beach, home to the annual Rip Curl Pro Surf and Music Festival Bird Rock. You’ll find gentler waves at popular Jan Juc, Point Impossible and Point Danger. Boogie board or learn to surf at Anglesea and nearby Fairhaven. Choose from right-handers and beach breaks in Lorne. The surf is almost always up in Apollo Bay and on the Shipwreck Coast, past Cape Otway. You’ll find great surf beaches at Warrnambool, Port Fairy, and Portland. South east of Melbourne head to the back beaches of the Mornington Peninsula or further east to Phillip Island.

New South Wales

In Sydney, you can choose from easy-to-reach ocean beaches a bus ride from the city centre. Learn to surf at Bondi or battle the breaks at Tamarama, Bronte or Maroubra. North of the harbour bridge, surf at Manly or dominate the empty waves in, Queenscliff, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Narrabeen, Avalon and Palm Beach. On the Central Coast, north of Sydney, try Avoca Beach, Terrigal and Newcastle. Further north you’ll find Crescent Head and Angourie surfing reserve before the breaks of Byron Bay. South of Sydney, visit the Royal National Park or the many surfing gems clustered around Cronulla. Continue south to Port Kembla, Killalea State Park and Jervis Bay.

Gold Coast, QLD

Queensland

Discover waves on the Gold Coast, a surfer’s paradise. Ride some of the world’s longest waves at the Snapper Rocks Superbank near Coolangatta. Travelling north, stop in Currumbin, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Nobby Beach, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach. Learn to surf on North Stradbroke Island or paddle to South Stradbroke across the Gold Coast Seaway. From Brisbane, the secluded surf beaches of Bribie and Moreton Islands beckon. Enjoy the clean, uncrowded waves of the Sunshine Coast in Caloundra, Moolooloba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach and Noosa Heads. Learn to surf in Noosa, where the pristine beaches are fringed by bushland.

Western Australia

In Perth, surf the powerful waves of Trigg Island or the clean ocean curves of Scarborough orCottesloe beaches. On nearby Rottnest Island, Strickland Bay is one of many surfing gems. In Margaret River, paddle out with the surfing elite at Surfers Point or tackle the monster swells at The Box, North Point, Smiths and Three Bears. Further south, you’ll find ten-foot waves at Yallingup Reef and two-handers in Gracetown. In Esperance, the excellent waves are created by hundreds of islands and reefs. North of Perth, Kalbarri, Geraldton and Exmouth are home to just some of the awe-inspiring breaks lining the coast to Ningaloo Reef.

Fleurieu Peninsula, SA

South Australia

It’s a short drive from Adelaide to the surf beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Find reef and beach breaks from Christies to Sellicks in the centre, and huge swells in the south from Goolwa to Parsons. Kangaroo Island offers beginner beach breaks at Stokes, Vivonne and Pennington Bays and fearsome waves at Hanson and D’Estrees Bays. Ride waves on the international surfing stage in Innes National Park on the Yorke Peninsula. On the vast Eyre Peninsula, learn to surf at Venus Bay or tackle the legendary breaks of Cactus Beach. The Limestone Coast’s surf spots, such as Robe, Beachport and Cape Douglas, stretch all the way to Victoria.

Tasmania

Paddle out at Park and Clifton beaches near Hobart or venture further to Eaglehawk Neck on the Tasman Peninsula. On windswept Bruny Island, you can brave the big breaks at Cloudy Bay or carry your board through the World Heritage Area to South Cape Bay. On the northern coast, the huge swell is a gift from the Bass Strait. Try Tam O’Shanter north-east of Launceston or the Mersey Mouth at Devonport. Marrawah is Tasmania’s westernmost settlement and home to its biggest surf. Pull on your wetsuit and throw yourself onto the huge Southern Ocean swells.

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